Under normal circumstances, Twilight would have loved nothing more than a nice, quiet afternoon in her home, sitting with a good book to read. And while she had indeed been doing that, at this particular moment, she was instead focused on something else altogether. For she and Spike were not alone in the library right now. Pinkie was there too, marching up and down in a frustrated manner, her expression one of anger. Twilight, never taking her eyes off the pink mare, was thinking things over. So, this is it. The visit from Rainbow's less-than-friendly old friend, Gilda. I never spoke her that much the first time around, and quite frankly, I'm glad of that. Rainbow was wise not to involve herself with her after the party, but until then, everypony else had to put up with her and her poor attitude, especially Pinkie here. Still, even now, it's weird to see her so upset. Even knowing her as I do, to see her like this, when she's usually so happy, it's just...wrong. But, as she was thinking that, Twilight never stopped listening to what her friend had to say. The only way Rainbow is going to understand what's been going on recently, is by seeing it for herself.

"Pinkie...are you sure this friend of Rainbow's is as mean as you say?"

The pink mare turned to her and rolled her eyes.

"Um, yeah! She keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away, she pops my balloons, and she told me to buzz off. I've never met a griffon this mean. Well, actually, I've never met a griffon at all, but I bet if I had, she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda!"

Twilight nodded at that. Believe me, Pinkie, I know that better that you do right now. Gilda won't get better, at least not for a while yet. Letting out a sigh, Twilight closed her book before standing up, walking over to Pinkie and putting a hoof upon her shoulder.

"Pinkie...think about this. Gilda has been a friend to Rainbow long before Rainbow was a friend to either of us. They haven't seen each other in a long time. Don't you think it's understandable that Rainbow might want to catch up with her? I mean, we're practically neighbours, but Gilda lives all the way on the other side of Equestria. Is it really fair to them for any of us to butt into their time together when her visit might be so brief?"

Pinkie turned to her, raised a hoof and opened her mouth, ready to come up with a counter-argument that Twilight knew full well she wanted to give right now. However, after having a few false starts, the earth pony let out a huff of annoyance before slumping onto the ground, looking more than a little frustrated.

"Argh! I hate it when you make sense like that! Now I feel bad!"

Twilight's expression was soft, and she offered her friend her hoof. Taking it, Pinkie was hoisted off the ground by the unicorn, who looked at her carefully.

"Believe me, Pinkie. Sometimes, a pony just needs space."

As Pinkie seemed to be deep in thought on that matter, Twilight herself was also thinking about the situation. I don’t feel comfortable about this, but perhaps it’s the best way to get Rainbow to see the truth.

"Pinkie. I have an idea!"

The other mare turned to her, tilting her head somewhat in a show of curiosity, and listening well as Twilight continued.

"Why don't you go to Rainbow and suggest that she finish up her weather duties quickly so that she and Gilda can go into town for a lunch or something? It'll be nice for them to have a quiet moment to catch up."

At first, Pinkie looked aghast at the idea. I don't blame her. Gilda's as bad-tempered as they come. Having someone like her near any one of my friends for any length of time wouldn't sit well with me either. It's sad, to think that Gilda can be better...but just can't right now. She won't become a better person for some time. Still, this has to happen, if Rainbow is going to understand the what her old friend has been doing when she's not looking. Putting on a smile, Twilight tried her best to reassure her.

"Pinkie, if you truly consider yourself to be Rainbow's friend, you have to show that you're willing to allow her to be friends with others also."

Pinkie looked away for a moment, mulling over Twilight's words. For a brief moment, the young unicorn feared that her friend might refuse her outright, albeit in her usual, Pinkie Pie way. However, thankfully, the other mare simply turned and smiled. Not the same bubbly smile she was used to, but rather a smaller and gentler one. She gave a single nod, showing her acceptance of Twilight's words, and Twilight smiled back, watching as her friend made her way out of the library, no doubt to find Rainbow and let her know of the arrangement. However, as soon as Pinkie had closed the door behind her, Twilight felt a great deal of guilt at this. I'm sorry Pinkie. What happens now will be difficult, for all of us. But...it's for Rainbow's own good.

"Um...Twilight? Why are we here?"

Pinkie looked to her friend as they walked down the streets of Ponyville, walking by all the other ponies there. Twilight turned to her with a confident smile upon her face.

"I think it'll be good for you to see how Rainbow and Gilda are getting along. It might make you feel better about the whole thing."

Pinkie let out a huff at that, like a small child accepting that the might have to do chores.

"Okay! Fine!"

It's still strange seeing Pinkie act so upset. Still, this will resolve the Gilda problem pretty quickly. Twilight's ears began to drop a little after thinking that. I just wish I didn't have to go about it like this. However, she put on a more cheerful face as Pinkie looked her way, not wanting her friend to see her down. After smiling to her, Twilight scoured the area, looking for their quarry. Eventually, the young unicorn caught sight of both Rainbow and Gilda, both of whom were further along the street from them. Giving Pinkie a nudge, she pointed in their direction, letting her know where they were. After silently gesturing to her, Twilight and Pinkie stood still on the side, near a fruit stand, watching the two old friends as they made their way down the street. Eventually, they came upon another stand, one that Applejack's Grandmother, Granny Smith, was standing next to. Both Twilight and Pinkie watched as Gilda gained a mischievous look in her eyes, whispering something to Dash. The pegasus seemed to be confused about her friend's words, prompting Gilda to act on her own. So, quietly, Gilda used her tail and poked it out of the other side of the stand, right in front of Granny Smith's face. As Twilight knew, the elder mare ran off, screaming her head off about a snake. Gilda laughed a great deal at this, but Rainbow was less than amused.

"See that, Twilight?! That was a mean trick to play on poor Granny Smith!" Pinkie remarked.

Twilight nodded at that.

"I know. But we have to trust Rainbow on this. Do you think she'd go along with Gilda if she goes too far?"

Pinkie thought on that for a moment before dropping her ears down slightly.

"No," she admitted reluctantly.

Twilight nodded, looking back to the other two. Sure enough, they were walking, with the mood between them considerably cooler than before. Stealthily, Pinkie and Twilight followed them, keeping their eyes out for anything else. In time, they watched as Gilda passed by another fruit stand and, while she was still walking, used her tail to grab a nearby apple before the vendor realised it. Pinkie gasped at this blatant act of theft, but a hoof to her mouth silenced her. Turning, she looked on as Twilight gestured to the other two. As expected, Rainbow soon caught sight of the apple, and immediately began talking to Gilda about it. From the look on her face, it was clear she was unhappy about her friend's actions, as evidenced by her pointing to the fruit stand in an angry fashion. Gilda was also becoming annoyed at this point, taking a big bite out of the apple to emphasise her frustrations. Rainbow watched in seeming disbelief as her old friend walked by, not even showing to care about what had just been said between them. Letting go of Pinkie, Twilight gave her a silent nod, and for once, Pinkie seemed to understand, saying nothing but returning the nod, with a look of utter seriousness upon her face.

So, they carried on, watching as the two friends walked, no jokes or laughter passing between them. However well their meeting might have gone, now it seemed to be turning sour. Looking further ahead, Twilight saw, as she already knew, that Fluttershy was there also, walking backwards as she led a convoy of ducks along the street. Twilight grimaced at this. I'm sorry, Fluttershy. Unable to see where she was going, the timid Pegasus walked right into Gilda, prompting the latter to start speaking aggressively to her. At this distance, Twilight could not hear what was being said, but it was clear from the look on Fluttershy's face that it wasn't anything good. However, upsetting ponies didn't seem to bother Gilda in the slightest, as she upped her overly-hostile behaviour, approaching Fluttershy in a very intimidating manner. As the yellow mare backed away, whimpering, Gilda was halted by the arrival of Rainbow, who now stood between her and Fluttershy. Gilda seemed taken aback by this, but soon her expression turned to anger as she started speaking to her old friend.

However, Twilight knew exactly where this was going. No matter what happens, or who she meets, Rainbow Dash will never tolerate a bully. Her prediction soon came true, as Gilda's continued remarks towards Fluttershy, which Twilight still couldn't hear, were being defended against by Rainbow, who spread out her wings in a threatening manner, even getting right up to Gilda’s face as she spoke her own words against her. There was a moment of silence between the two, and for as moment, both Twilight and everypony else feared that a full-on fight might break out between the two. However, instead, Gilda simply took a step backwards, letting out a snort before flapping her wings and flying off. Twilight had no idea what words had passed between them, but they definitely seemed to be of a final nature. Turning, she looked over to Pinkie, who had been staring with a look of shock at the whole thing. There was a time when Gilda was a victim of harassment herself...and now she just dishes out such behaviour without regard for others' feelings. I know she gets better one day, but right now...that kind of attitude is unforgiveable. Letting out a sigh, Twilight nudged her before gesturing to Rainbow. Nodding back, Pinkie and her both ran towards the two pegasi. When they finally reached them, Twilight spoke up.

"Rainbow? What happened?"

Rainbow turned to her, still looking angry.

"I can't believe her! The stuff she did! The things she said to Fluttershy! I swear, she never used to be like that! How...how could she have changed so much?"

Pinkie looked on in a sad manner before walking forward, placing a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Rainbow. I kinda hoped things would be okay between you and Gilda."

Twilight turned, surprised to hear honesty in her words as she said that. Guess that, no matter how much trouble between them there was, Pinkie truly did want what was best for her. As for Gilda...well...it'll take some time for her to see things the same way. However, as she dwelt on that, the three finally heard Fluttershy, who meekly stood out from behind Rainbow.

"Um...I'm sorry if I caused so much trouble."

Rainbow turned to her with a raised eyebrow, before eventually breaking out into a smile and chuckling.

"Don't you apologise, Fluttershy. You did nothing wrong."

To emphasise her words, Rainbow wrapped a hoof around Fluttershy, holding her close. The two friends both started laughing together, with Fluttershy seeming far less worried about the whole thing. It was a sight Twilight couldn't help but smile at, and she watched as Rainbow turned to Pinkie.

"I'm sorry I didn't see it sooner, Pinkie. I know what a real friend is...and Gilda isn't one of them."

Smiling widely, Pinkie leaped forward, embracing Rainbow in a hug that threatened to knock the wind out of her. Twilight giggled yet again at this sight, all while Rainbow chuckled nervously. Looking away, Twilight gazed upon the area of the sky where Gilda had flown off to. You and Rainbow will be friends again, Gilda, I promise you that. You will come to realise what real friends are and how much they mean to you. But right now...you will be alone...and I'm sorry.